Radical lymph node dissection for gallbladder cancer: indications and limitations

Surg Oncol Clin N Am. 2007 Jan;16(1):221-32. doi: 10.1016/j.soc.2006.10.011.

Abstract

Radical lymph node dissection provides survival benefit for patients with pT2 or more advanced gallbladder carcinoma tumors only if potentially curative resection is feasible; it must always be considered when planning a resection or re-resection for robust patients with pT2 or more advanced gallbladder carcinoma tumors. The degree of radical lymphadenectomy depends on clinically assessed nodal status: portal lymph node dissection is limited to cN0 disease; extended portal nodal dissection is indicated for cN0 and a modest degree of cN1 disease; peripancreatic lymph node dissection with pancreaticoduodenectomy is indicated for selected cases of evident peripancreatic nodal disease and/or direct organ involvement. Extended resection with extensive lymphadenectomy should be limited to expert surgeons because it may cause serious morbidity and mortality.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cholecystectomy / methods*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / mortality
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Node Excision* / methods
  • Lymphatic System / anatomy & histology
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Survival Analysis